Recoiling barrel firearm with a breech bolt and breech bolt carrier



E. H WALTKE, JR RECOILING BARREL FIREARM WITH A BREE CH 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Sept. 13, 1949.

BOLT AND BREECH BOLT CARRIER Filed March 23, 1948 g m mm M a Q .l

w A mwwwv m INVENTOR.

' Erma/V127 Sept. .13, 1949. r w JR 2,481,548

. RECOILING BARREL FIR M WITH A BREECH 150mv AND BREECH BOLT CARRIERFiled March 23, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 EMA/E2517; c/. F 6- INVENTOR.

P 1 E. H. WALTKE, JR 2,481,548-

RECOILING BARREL FIREARM WITH A BREECH BOLT AND BREECH BOLT CARRIERFiled March 23, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 EbM/I/HVHATKj Jen INVENTOR.

v irmeA/y Patented Sept. 13, 1949 OFFICE 2,481,548 RECOILING BARRELFIREARM WITH A BREECH BOLT AND CARRIER BBEECH BOLT Edwin H. Waltke, Jr.,Los Angeles', Calif.

Application March 23, 1948, Serial No. 16,551

My invention pertains to an improvement in recoiling barrel firearm witha branch bolt and breech bolt carrier, and more particularly to theClaims. (Cl. 891.62)

type of automatic fire arm generally referred to as recoil-operated.

The purpose, and oneof the principal objects,

. ofthis invention is to provide a rifle, or other firearm, having amore compact arrangement of parts than former firearms of this type witha resulting reduction in weight and over-all dimensions, consistent withadequate strength of design.

An important feature of this invention, in carrying out the foregoingobject, is the provision of a novel mounting'of the recoil-spring meas,for shifting the bolt forwardly or to its firing position, and in whichthe spring means is positioned or confined, either when expanded orcompressed,

between the rear end of the receiver or barrelsupporting means and nearthe forward end of the bolt, or the carrier therefor, and further islocated at the side of the bolt, or the axis thereof, so as not tointerfere with the firing pin.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a recoil-springmeans for a firearm of this class which consists of a plurality ofseparate springs, at least two, so that the firearm will still functionif one breaks, or so that it will function properly if a lighter than anormal charge of powder is used in the shell.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a novelarrangement and construction of bolt, bolt carrier or pusher and boltreceiver whereby a compact and sturdy firearm may be made, an importantfeature of the invention being the provision of a novel cam means forpositively operating the several elements in synchromsm.

With these and other objects in View, as will appear hereinafter, I havedevised a firearm having certain novel features of construction,combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, as will behereinafter described in detail, and

particularly set forth in the appended claims,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the charactersof reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a rifleembodying, in one form, the invention of my automatic firearm, portionsof the barrel and stock being broken away, dotted lines being also shownto indicate the rearward position of the bolt and bolt carrier;

Fig. 2 is a fra'gn entaryplan view thereof, show,-

'view, taken through |--T of Fig. 6, showing the relation of camsdescribed in Fig. 6;

ing portions broken'away and in section to facilitate the. illustration;

7 Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionalview thereof, taken through 3-3 ofFig, 1,-showing primarily the bolt in a locked position with the barrel;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentarylongitudinal sectional elevational view, showingthebolt in an unlocked position from the barrel and in its initialrearwardly moving position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, taken through 5-5 of Fig. 4,showing the adjacent ends of the bolt and barrel in their unlockedrelation;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through '56 of Fig. 4,showing the relation between the cams on the rear end of the bolt andthe bolt receiver for rotating the bolt to effect unlocking of the boltfrom the barrel;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional FigIB is a fragmentarylongitudinal secti nal elevational view, similar to Fig. 1 but with thebolt and bolt carrier in their rear positions within the'receive'r'; ifV .Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view, showing therear end view ofthe bolt and bolt carrier within the-receiver;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged side view of the bolt and bolt carrier in theirforward positions;

Fig. 11 is a front end View of the bolt and bolt carrier when in theirforward positions;

pose of illustration, comprises a stock I, having a rear butt portion land a' forward portion l A receiver 2 is carried by the stock at therear and upper portion of-the forward portion l of 7 of the forwardportion l of the stock.

The usual barrel 6 is longitudinally reciprocally mounted onthe forwardportion of the receiver above the forward portion I of the stock andforwardly of the latter andthe receiver. The barrel has a barrel guide 1which slides in a longitudinal slot 2 at the bottom of the forwardportion of the receiver. A barrel stop pin 8 is Provided on the receiverand extends across the forward portion of the'slot 2 a spring 9 norandaxially reciprocally mounted in the carrier. The axial movements of thebolt II and carrier l2 are limited to the space between the rear end.

of the barrel 6 and a plug l3 at the rear end of the receiver, as willbe described hereinafter.

The carrier is urged to its forward position, as shown in Fig. 1, by arecoil spring means which is shown as consisting of a pair of coilsprings l4 and I5. The rear ends of the springs impinge against the plugand the forward portions extend into deep longitudinal bores. 12 and 12in the carrier, the bores extending from the rear to near the forwardends .of the carrier. Thus, the greatest practical length or space isprovided for the springs Ill and I5; ,Guide rods I6 extend forwardly ofthe plugl 3 into the springs and the ends of the. bores to facilitateguiding of the (V springs whentheyare compressed into the bores.

When in its forward position, for lookinga cartridge in.the breach 6 ofthe barrel, the forward ,end of the bolt J l is locked tofthe rear endof the 1 barrel, such locking being effected by locking lugs l I on thebolt and '6 on the barrel. The locking lugs 6 are provided on a rearwardextension 6 on the barrel This barrel extension provides an annular.recess li to permit axial rotation of the forward end of thebolt. .Thespaces between the locking lugs 6 of the barrel Permit the looking lugsH 110 be inserted from the rear end of the barrel to the annular recess6.

The upper half of the carrier 12 is .of larger diameter than thelowerhalf and fits into a correspondingly shaped .bore in the. receiver, asshown in Figs. '6 and '9, thus preventing rotation of the carrier whensliding in the receiver.

to the receiver 2 and 'the carrier I'Z except when the locking lugs Ilare located within the annular recess E The bolt is then rotated in acounterclockwise direction, when the carrier is urged forwardly y therecoil springs, by means of a cam lug 11!? on the bolt and a cam lug. H2at the forward end of the lower portion of the carrier, asshown in Figs..4 and 10.

Upon firing of the cartridge in the breech, the barrel ;6, carrier .12,and bolt H are forced rearwardly, causing a cam'll at the rear end ofthe bolt to engage a helical cam 2& at the .right side I of the lowerportion of the bore in the receiver, and causing the boltto 'berotatedin a clockwise direction topermit the lockinglugs H of the bolt tov passbackwardly, between the locking lugs 6 of the barrel. The cam lug 11then moves into C a longitudinal slot 2 in the receiver below thehelical cam 2 thereby preventing further rotation of the bolt. As thebolt .is rotated in a clockwise direction the cam I I again engages thecam I2 and causes the carrier 12 to move backwardly at an increasedspeed, both the bolt II and the carrier 12 moving backwardly togetheragainst the force of the .reco'ilsprings.

The rearward movement of the bolt forces the hammer 4f! backwardly, andcauses the trigger mechanism to be cocked and the trigger 42, which ispivotally mounted about its lower end .at the '4 rear portion of thereceiver, to be forced into a cocked position by a trigger plunger 43against the compression of a spring 44, the trigger being held in itscocked position by a scar portion 42* on the trigger and a sear portion43 on the plunger 43.

As the bolt l I moves backwardly, the extractor 2| withdraws the emptyshell from the breech 6 of the barrel opposite an open space 2 in thereceiver. In the bolt is longitudinally slidably mounted an ejector rod22, which engages the plug 13 .at the rear end of the receiver, causingthe forward end of the ejector to extend beyond the forward end or faceof the bolt against which the head end of the cartridge is normallyseated. Such forwardlextension of the ejector causes projection oftheempty shell to the right side of the receiver through the opening 2therein.

The discharge of th empty shell permits a new cartridge to be forcedupwardly from the ,magazine 31, this magazine being shown as having acartridgefollower 32 backed by a spring 33.

receiver through the opening 2 effected by drawing the handle 11.backwardly,

The 7, bolt l l is inanon-rotatable position with respect When .the newcartridge is forced upwardly, the recoilspring-s M and 1.5 force thecarrier l2 and bolt l l forwardly, forcing thenew cartridge into thechamber or breech b as described/Pulling of the trigger resultsinrelease of the hammer so that the free end thereof may strike the rearend of the firing pin 24 in the usual manner.

The following is .a description of the operation of my firearm, anddescribes insequence the various steps as well as co-relation andco-operationof the variouselements:

A cartridge may be inserted into the breech or chamber '6 by means of ahandle ll, mounted on the carrier, and extendin to the right of the Thismay be against the compression of the recoil springs, behind the rearend of a new cartridge forced upwardly from the magazine. Forwardmovement .of the handle, or automatic action of thesprings,

causes the cartridgeto be forced into the breech .or chamber 6*.

Assuming thecartridge to be in firing position, the gun is now ready tofire, whichis effected by pulling the trigger 42 backwardly. Thispermits the firing spring 44 to force the plunger 43 forwardly and forcethehammer 4| forwardly until it strikes the rear end of the firing pinknob 23 provided at the rear end of the firing pin 24 which extendsthrough the axial portion of the bolt, and forces the forward end of thefiring pin beyond the forward end of the bolt against which the head ofthe cartridge rests, as shown best in Fig. 12. The cartridge is Upon theexplosion of the cartridge, the barrel, carrier, and bolt are reooiledrearwardly with respect to the receiver 2, as described above. As thecam ll engages the helical cam 2 on the receiver, the bolt and carrierare unlocked from the barrel. The recoil of the barrel is limited by theannular shoulder 2 at the rear of the bore 2'. "The spring .9 thenreturns the barrel to its initial or normal forward position.

Simultaneously with the clockwise rotation of the bolt, effected by theengagement of the cams [Hand 2 another camming action takes placebetween the cams 11- and 12 which causes the bolt carrier to movebackwardly at a greater speed than the bolt, as described above, boththe carrier .and the bolt, however, continuing backwardly together dueto their own momentum,

.the recoil of both of these elements being gradually absorbed by thesprings l4 and I5. The remaining energy of these two members is absorbedby' the receiver plug 13. At this pomt the spent cartridge case or shellis ejected, as stated. Shortly after the beginning of the forwardmovement of the carrier byv the recoil springs, the face of the bolt. Hengages the edge of a new cartridgewhich is forced by the bolt into thechamber or breech of the barrel. As the face of the bolt strikes therear of the'barrel at 6 the bolt carrier continues forwardly a shortdistance, and durin the latter movement a retary action takes placebetween the cams II and [2 causing the bolt to be rotated in acounterclockwise direction, :causing the lugs ll at the-forward end ofthe bolt to be locked behind the lugs 6* onthe barrel. Thus thecartridge is locked into position to be discharged when the trigger ispulled.

One of the essential features of my invention is that the spring means,consisting of a spring or springs, returning the bolt assembly to thefiring position and causing the locking of the breech, is or aresomounted'that it or they impinge upon the locking means, or one of theelements thereof, which, in this instance, is the bolt pusher orcarrier, at a point near the front end of the bolt. Therefore when thebolt and locking means thereof recoil rearwardly and the rear end of thebolt strikes the plug or stop in the receiver, an appreciable space isprovided between the rear end of the bolt and the point of im= pingementof the spring or springs upon the looking means. Therefore no space isnecessary or provided between the rear end of the bolt and the boltstop. This construction results in the advantage of a more compactarrangement of i the working members.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A firearm operated by. recoil, comprising a supporting means, abarrel longitudinally reciprocally mounted on'the supporting means, abolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting meansat the rear end of and longitudinally shiftable with respect to thebarrel, a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinally shiftable withrespect thereto, said carrier having an opening extending from its rearend to near the forward end, and a recoilspring positioned with itsforward. portion in the opening and its rear end bearing against thesupporting means. 7 i a 2. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising abarrel, a receiver reciprocally supporting the rear end portion of thebarrel, a bolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted within thereceiver at the rear end of and longitudinally shift-- able with respectto the barrel, a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinallyshiftable with respect thereto, said carrier having an opening extendingfrom its rear end to near the forward end, and a recoil springpositioned with its forward portion in the opening and its rear endbearing against the rear end portion of the receiver.

3. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a supporting means, a barrellongitudinally reciprocally mounted onthe supporting means, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting means atthe rearend of and longitudinally shiftable with respect'to the barrel,a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinally. shiftable with respectthereto, said carrier having openings extending from its rear end tonear the forward end, and aplurality of recoil springs positioned withtheir forward portions in.

the openings and their rear ends bearing against the supporting means. ai

4. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the rear end portion of the barrel, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted within the receiver at therear end of and'longitudinally shiftable with respect to the barrel, abolt 'mounted in the carrier and longitudinally shiftable with respectthereto, said carrier having openings extending from its rear end tonear the forward end, and a plurality of recoil springs positioned withtheir forward portions in the opening and their rear ends bearingagainst th rear end portion of the receiver.-

5. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a supporting means, a barrellongitudinally, reciprocally mounted on the supporting means, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally and nonrotatably mounted on thesupporting means at the rear end of and longitudinally shiftable withrespect to the barrel, a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier andlongtitudinally shiftable with respect thereto, and a recoil springpositioned with its forward end against the carrier and its rear endbearing against the supporting means.

6. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the rear end portion of the barrel, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally and non-rotatably mounted within thereceiver at the rear end of and longitudinally shiftable with respect tothe barrel, a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier and longitudinallyshiftable with respect thereto, and a recoil spring positioned with itsforward end against the carrier and its rear end bearing against therear portion of the receiver.

'7. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a supporting means, abarrel longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting means, abolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally and nonrotatably mounted on thesupporting means at the rear end of and longitudinally shiftable withrespect to the barrel, a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier andlongitudinally shiftable with respect thereto, and a plurality of recoilsprings positioned with their forward ends against the carrier and theirrear ends bearing against the supporting means. i

8. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the-rear end portion of the barrel, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally and'non-rotatably mounted within thereceiver at the rear end of and no longitudinally shiftable with respectto the'barrel, a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier andlongitudinally shiftable with respect thereto, and

nomes to near the for-ward end, a recoil spring positi'oned with itsforward portion in the opening and its rear end be'aring against thesupporting means, means for rotating the bolt andlocking the same to therear end of the barrel at the instant of firing, means automaticallydisconmeeting the bolt from the barrel upon the recoil --of the latter,and means to check the recoil of the barrel.

10. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising :a bar-rel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the rear-end portion of the barrel, aboltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted within the receiver atthe rear end of and longitudinally jshiftable with respect to thebarrel, a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinally shiftable withrespect thereto, said carrier having an opening extending from its rearend to near the forward end, a recoil spring positioned with its forwardportion in the opening and its rear end bearing against the "rear endportion. of the receiver, means for rotating the bolt and looking thesame to the rear end of the barrel at the irrstant of firing, meansautomaticall disconnecting the bolt from the barrel upon the recoil ofthe latter, and means to check the recoil of the barrel.

11. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a supporting means, abarrel longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting means, abolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally and non-rotatabl mounted on thesupporting means at the 'rear end of and longitudinally shiftable withrespect to the barrel, a bolt rotatably rnounted'in ithe roar-rier andlongitudinally shiftable with respect thereto, a rec'oil springpositioned. with its forward end against the carrier and its rear end"bearing against the supporting means, means for rotating the bolt andlocking the same to the :lrear end .of the barrel at the instant offiring, means automatically disconnecting the bolt from the barrel uponthe recoil of the latter, and means 'to-check-ithe recoil of the barrel.

12. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising ;a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the rear end portion of the barrel, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally and non-rotatably mounted within thereceiver at the rear end of and longitudinally shiftab'le with respectto the barrel, :a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier "andlongitudinally .shiftable with respect thereto, a recoil springpositioned with its forward end against the carrier and its rear endbearing against the rear portion of bolt, means for rotating the boltand locking the same to the rear .end of the barrel at the instant offiring, means automatically disconnecting the receiver from the barrelupon the recoil of the latter, and means to :check the recoil of thebarrel.

13. .A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a supporting means, .abarrel longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting means, abolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting meansat the rear end of and longitudinal-1y shiftable with respect to thebarrel, a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinally sh-if-tablewith respect thereto, said carrier having an opening extending from itsrear end to near the forward end, and a recoil spring 100- sitioned withits forward portion in the opening and its rear end bearing against thesupporting means, said spring being compressible, upon the recoil of thecarrier, substantiall into said opening.

.14. .A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting'th'e rear 'en portion of the barrel, 2. boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocallymounted Within the receiver at therear end of and longitudinally shiftable with respect to the barrel, abolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinally shiftable with respectthereto, said carrier having an opening extending from its rear end tonear the forward end,

and a recoil spring .positioned with its forward portion in the openingand its rear end bearing against therear end portion of the receiver,said spring being compressible, upon the recoil of the carrier,substantially into said opening.

el, a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudirnally shi'ftable withrespect "thereto, said carrier having openings extending/from its rearend to near the forward end, and a plurality of recoil springspositioned with their forward portions in the openings and -their rearends bearing against the supporting means, .said springs beingcompressible upon the recoil of the carrier, substantially into saidopenings.

16. A firearm operated "by recoil, comprising a barrel, 2. receiverreciprocally supporting the rear end portion of the barrel,:a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted within the receiver at therear end of and longitudinall shiftable with respect to the barrel, abolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinally shifta'ble with respectthereto, said carrier -having openings extending from its rear end tonear the forward end, and a plurality of recoil springs positioned withtheir forward portions in the openings and their rear ends bearingagainst the rear end portion of the receiver, said springs beingcompressible, upon the recoiliof the carrier, substantially into saidopenings.

1'7. A firearm operatedby recoil, comprising a supporting means, abarrel longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting means, abolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting meansat the rear end of the barrel, a bolt mounted in the carrier andlongitudinally shiftabl'e with respect thereto, and a recoil springpositioned with its forward end against the carrier and its rear endbearing against the supporting means, :said spring being compressible,upon the recoil of the barrel and the carrier, into a space surroundingthe longitudinal axis of the bolt.

18. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the rear end portion of the barrel, 2. boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally mounted within the receiver at therear end of the barrel, a bolt mounted in the carrier and longitudinallyshiftable with respect thereto, and a recoil spring positioned with itsforward end against the carrier and its rear end bearing against therear end portion of the receiver, said spring being compressible, uponthe recoil of the barrel and the carrien'into aspace surrounding thelongitudinal axis of the bolt.

19. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a supporting means, abarrel longitudinally reciprocally mounted on the supporting means, abolt carrier longitudinally reciprocally and nonrotatably mounted on theSupporting means at the rear end of and longitudinally shiftable withrespect to the barrel, a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier andlongitudinally shiftable with respect thereto, a recoil springpositioned with its forward end against the carrier and its rear endbearing against the supporting means, mating cams at the forwardportions of the carrier and the bolt for rotating the latter and lockingthe forward end thereof to the rear end of the barrel at the instant offiring, other mating cams on the rear portion of the bolt and thesupporting means for rotating the bolt in the opposite direction adistance sufficient only automatically to disconnect the bolt from thebarrel upon the recoil of the same, and means to check the recoil of thebarrel upon the disconnection of the bolt therefrom, the first camsreengaging each other, simultaneously with the disconnection of the boltfrom the barrel, to increase the rearward movement of the carrier.

20. A firearm operated by recoil, comprising a barrel, a receiverreciprocally supporting the rear end portion of the barrel, a boltcarrier longitudinally reciprocally and non-rotatably mounted within thereceiver at the rear end of and 10 longitudinally shiftable with respectto the barrel, a bolt rotatably mounted in the carrier andlongitudinally shiftable with respect thereto, a recoil springpositioned with its forward end against the carrier and its rear endbearing against the rear portion of the receiver, mating cams at theforward portions of the carrier and the bolt for rotating the latter andlocking the forward end thereof to the rear end of the barrel at theinstant of firing, other mating cams on the rear portion of the bolt andthe receiver for rotating the bolt in the opposite direction a distancesufficient only automatically to disconnect the bolt from the barrelupon the recoil of the same, and means to check the recoil of the barrelupon the disconnection of the bolt therefrom, the first cams reengagingeach other, simultaneously with the disconnection of the bolt from thebarrel, to increase the rearward movement of the carrier.

EDWIN H. WALTKE, JR.

No references cited.

